CA scope of practice bill moves to Appropriations Committee
The unanimously passed the Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee.
Sacramento, CA-California’s SB 492 last week unanimously passed the Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee. This bill, along with companion bills SB 491 and SB 493, next move to the Appropriations Committee.
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SB 491-493 proposes to expand the scope of practice for non-physicians in anticipation of a healthcare provider shortage after the Affordable Care Act provides healthcare coverage to millions of uninsured Americans. These bills would designate optometrists as primary-care providers to diagnose and treat patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, allow nurse practitioners to establish independent practices, and designate pharmacists as primary-care providers. The bills were proposed by California Senator Ed Hernandez, OD.
